Eye on O.C.: Many voices for a cause

An Italian tea set donated by Joe Hodulik and Steve Wong was one of the silent auction items at the Academy Affair 2013 gala at the Center Club. CHRISTINE COTTER, FOR THE REGISTER

1 of 10

Community Bridge Award honoree Miguel Conniff, director of the Rumbaleyros's Band and The Agape Music Center in Lakewood, poses for a photo at the Academy Affair 2013, a gala fundraiser at the Center Club in Costa Mesa. CHRISTINE COTTER, FOR THE REGISTER

1 of 10

Dora Schuster wears a floor length gown she purchased at a thrift store for $14.00. She is a volunteer with "Hearts Alive." CHRISTINE COTTER, FOR THE REGISTER

1 of 10

Miguel Conniff was an award recipient at the Men Alive's Academy Affair 2013. Conniff is the director of the Rumbaleyros's Band and The Agape Music Center in Lakewood. CHRISTINE COTTER, FOR THE REGISTER

1 of 10

Paul Wick and Ron Leon of North Tustin pose for a photo at the VIP reception for the Academy Affair 2013 gala fundraiser at the Center Club in Costa Mesa. CHRISTINE COTTER, FOR THE REGISTER

1 of 10

Steve Kane, Louise Toth and Tom Ray, from left, pose for a photo at the Academy Affair 2013 gala fundraiser at the Center Club in Costa Mesa. CHRISTINE COTTER, FOR THE REGISTER

1 of 10

Rene Mendoza, auction donor Dr. Max Schneider and Steven Wong, from left, pose for a photo at the Academy Affair 2013 gala at the Center Club in Costa Mesa. CHRISTINE COTTER, FOR THE REGISTER

1 of 10

Ron Smith and John De Freitas of Aliso Viejo enjoy their Cosmopolitan cocktails at the VIP reception for the Academy Affair 2013, a gala fundraiser at the Center Club in Costa Mesa. CHRISTINE COTTER, FOR THE REGISTER

1 of 10

Laura Kanter and Karla Bland, from left, at the gala fundraiser Academy Affair 2013. Kantor, the Director of Youth Services at The Center OC, was one of the night's honorees. CHRISTINE COTTER, FOR THE REGISTER

1 of 10

Andre Chasse and artistic director Rich Cook pose for a photo at the Academy Affair 2013 gala fundraiser at the Center Club in Costa Mesa. CHRISTINE COTTER, FOR THE REGISTER

Guests in black tie waited on the patio at the Center Club, chilled martinis in hand, conversations in full swing — but where was the guest of honor? At MenAlive's gala dinner, "An Academy Affair," Broadway star Ben Vereen was nowhere to be seen. So people enjoyed the scene and the chance to catch up with supporters of Orange County's gay men's chorus, including one of that night's honorees, Laura Kanter.

"I'm fershimeled," she said, using the Yiddish word that goes beyond discombobulated to confusion combined with flustered, with a wide but modest smile of receiving MenAlive's Community Bridge award for her work with youth and on marriage equality. "Men Alive has been a stabilizing influence in the community," she said of the group's presence in Orange County.

Founded by Rich Cook, the choir has its die-hard fans. "He's one of a kind, like a Jerry Buss," said retired board member Paul Wick of Cook. Wick pointed out that the chorus isn't just a group of singers, they raise their voices to foster acceptance of gays in a mostly conservative county. "He went out on a limb to start it," Wick said.

Soon the crowd moved into the dining room to feast on steak and salmon. And to hear the chorus sing a moving confessional with speeches from members about, "When I Knew." Guests livened up during a fiercely heated auction and a short singing contest with competitors belting out songs from classical composer Giuseppe Giordani as well as Whitney Houston.

Then they settled down for a program by Vereen who, stuck in traffic earlier, hosted his meet-and-greet after the show. Vereen took the stage in derby, tuxedo and converse sneakers, accompanied by pianist David Loeb. He held the audience rapt. As he said in a short pre-show interview he was there for two reasons. No. 1: "Liza Minnelli was here and I'm not gonna let her outdo me." And No. 2: "I've heard this choir and it's amazing. There's one thing no one can have any prejudice against and that's music."

User Agreement

Keep it civil and stay on topic. No profanity, vulgarity, racial
slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about
tragedies will be blocked. By posting your comment, you agree to
allow Orange County Register Communications, Inc. the right to
republish your name and comment in additional Register publications
without any notification or payment.